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Having a headache can completely change your day. Light can make it difficult to look at computer screens drive. It can be hard to concentrate on even the smallest things when your head is just pounding. When severe, you may even feel nauseated. If you deal with headaches regularly, it is best to do something about it. Find ways to manage them including premier dry needling from your go-to physical therapist in Cheyenne, WY. 

Types of Headaches

For the 50 million that deal with headaches each year, it can be frustrating that not all are the same. Some are intense; others are short but painful. Others are an annoyance while some are downright debilitating. There are two categories of headaches that make up the various types: episodic and chronic. Episodic headaches are your occasional headaches that can last for hours. Chronic headaches are frequent. 

Cluster: This type of headache packs a punch. They tend to stay on one side of the face behind the eye, with a sharp, pounding pain. They occur for a set amount of time, go away, then return. 
Hormone: Women can experience headaches due to their menstrual cycle. They can start during ovulation and last throughout one’s period. 
Hypertension: Caused by high blood pressure, a hypertension headache can be dangerous. Those suffering may also have numbness, visual changes, nosebleeds, or even chest pain. It is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. 
Migraine: A migraine is a category of it's one. Throbbing pain takes over, in some cases, causing nausea or changes in vision. 
Physical: After an intense workout or being more active than usual, increased blood flow in the head creates pulsing pain.  
Post-injury: If you have experienced an injury to the head within the last year, it can lead to headaches that occur on and off. 
Sinus: Occurring due to mucus build-up, or because of a sinus infection, sinus headaches can make you feel stuffed up and miserable. 
Tension: A slight pain or pressure around the head that also causes pain from the shoulders and up. 

Seeking Relief

Finding relief for your headaches is essential. It can help you continue your daily activities pain-free. Some ways to feel better include: 

Over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatories, or stronger medication prescribed by a physician 
Hot or cold therapy
Reducing or eliminating light 
Changes in diet

You can also review these 18 remedies to get rid of headaches naturally when searching for solutions for your pain. 

Dry Needling

Another great way to help with headaches is to go to a local physical therapist for dry needle therapy. Through using small, monofilament needles, a top physical therapist will insert them into the muscles. This helps to ease knots and tension, allowing the muscle to get back to its normal state. It is different than acupuncture. 

When it comes to receiving quality dry needling for your headaches and migraines, North Platte Physical Therapy offers dry needling to help. You don’t have to suffer—let our talented team help you reduce or eliminate your headaches! Contact us today!
 

Did you know nearly one in ten women suffers from endometriosis? This common condition impacts everyday life, fertility, and much more. However, women should know they are not alone. While there is currently not a cure for endometriosis, there are treatments to ease symptoms and help available. It is essential for all women to educate themselves on endometriosis, talk to their doctors, and seek help from top physical therapy in Casper, WY to aid in relief. 

What is Endometriosis? 

The endometrium is a lining of tissue around a woman's uterus. The tissue will build up, and if an egg is not fertilized, the lining is one of the things shed during menstruation. For women with endometriosis, this tissue has moved to areas outside of the uterus. While mostly found around the pelvic area, the tissue can also move to various organs such as the ovaries, bladder, fallopian tubes, rectum, and more. In super rare cases, the lining can make its way to other areas of the body, such as the lungs.  

Symptoms

One of the main symptoms a woman with endometriosis experiences is pain. It is not necessarily one specific type of pain but can be throughout the body. In addition, there are other symptoms as well. 

Types of pain: Women with endometriosis experience deep and painful cramps during menstruation. Also, intercourse can be painful as well as bowel movements. The pain can be due to sensitivities to areas with the extra tissue being touched causing inflammation. 
Digestive issues: abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bleeding, and more. 
Spotting: Those with endometriosis find themselves bleeding small amounts in between menstrual cycles. 
Infertility: Some women with endometriosis experience difficulties having children. Some estimate this is due to damage caused by the addition lining.   

Treatments and Physical Therapy

Even though there is not a cure for endometriosis yet, there are ways women can reduce the pain. To reduce inflammation in the area, anti-inflammatory medications are used to treat endometriosis. Also, there are hormone-based treatments such as birth control or progestin-specific medication. Cases that are more severe may benefit from a laparoscopic procedure to remove the tissue. It can come back but can provide relief. For women struggling with infertility, becoming well-versed in endometriosis and infertility – the facts, can help couples find ways to become successful. Last, throughout a person’s struggle with endometriosis, premier physical therapy can provide relief. A physical therapist will provide exercises to strengthen the quality of the pelvic floor, reduce pain, and more. As a go-to for all women’s health issues, therapists will give additional best practices for endometriosis care. 

As you find ways to cope with endometriosis, North Platte Physical therapy will aid in care treatment. Our trained and experienced staff will work with your case as each person has a different experience. You do not have to suffer alone; North Platte is here to help. Contact us today to find a North Platte near you. We have several locations in Wyoming and Nebraska and hope to hear from you soon!

Cancer treatment takes a toll on the body. To regain strength, one of the best ways a person can recover is using physical therapy in Casper, WY. There are a variety of areas that are worked to help get a person back to their full potential. Whether you or a loved one is finishing cancer treatment, use this guide to learn how local physical therapy can assist with treatment. 

What is Cancer? 

Sadly, each year nearly two million people are diagnosed with cancer. It is common in society but sometimes we don’t realize or understand what it is. Cancer is when abnormal cells grow in the body. They take over the healthy, normal cells, wreaking havoc in the body. In several types of cancer, the growth of these cells creates large lumps, known as tumors. Leukemia is a form of cancer that does not have tumors but rather bad cells in the blood. 

Stages of Cancer

There are four stages of cancer a person can experience. Stages one and two have a lower amount of bad cell-growth. Stage three and four are a higher spread of the cells. Chemotherapy is used to stop the expansion of these bad cells, as well as radiation. In other cases, a surgery can be performed to eliminate tumors. Depending on which stage of cancer a person has will determine the route for treatment. 

Types of Post-Treatment Physical Therapy

Once a person undergoes treatment, recovery is key. One of the go-to ways to recover successfully is to incorporate physical therapy. One of the best things about physical therapy is how customized it is. This is perfect as every individual situation is different. Top ways physical therapy is used includes: 

• Movement: Physical therapy encourages movement and helps a person build strength and increase energy levels. Also, as a person may have spent several months not moving much at all, a physical therapist will help increase movement back to its original potential. 
• Pain Management: The extent of the drugs and procedures used when treating cancer can be tough. A person may be in pain and unable to fully move like normal during this process. A physical therapist will address this for the future. 
• Regain Balance: Cancer patients commonly have balance issues after treatment. A top way a physical therapist will assist with getting balance back. This is crucial for a person’s safety when walking, sitting, etc. 
• Lymphedema: When it comes to lymphedema and using Casper physical therapy for management, a quality physical therapist knows best. 

Whether you or a loved one is being treated for cancer, North Platte Physical Therapy is your place to recover. Our team of dedicated and knowledgeable staff understands post-cancer treatment. We create customized physical therapy plans for recovery. Contact us today to find a location near you. We offer pool therapy, hot and cold treatment, manual therapy exercises, extension exercises, myofascial release techniques and much more to get you or your loved one back on their feet. As a person seeks ways to regain strength and momentum, our office will help. 

With a simple brush against a sharp corner, or accidentally hitting your head, a bruise and/or bump can appear. People get bumps and bruises all the time, from simple accidents to more significant issues. But what are they, exactly? Bruises are ordinary and usual. Take time to learn about what they are and how Casper physical therapy can help with more massive accidents and issues. 

What is a Bruise? 

A bruise appears on a person who damages blood vessels or capillaries in an area. This is common when a person bumps a spot or sustains an injury. Once an area is affected and the blood vessels burst, small amounts of blood disperse in the area—causing what we know as a “bruise.” While people that have thinner skin are more likely to larger bruises, just because the surface is easier to damage, anyone can bruise. On average, a bruise will stay around for a couple of weeks at a time. As time passes by, the color of the bruise will change. In a week or two after an injury, the bruise will turn a shade of green. This is the body’s natural healing reaction with the breakdown of hemoglobin. 

What Causes a Bump? 

In addition to a bruise, after sustaining an injury, a bump may appear. When blood pools in an area due to an injury, it can cause a lump. For the most part, bumps are harmless. Whether it is you or your child that has a lump due to an injury, monitor the situation. If you or your child acts out of the ordinary, it could be a sign more treatment is needed. Watch out for blurry vision, headaches, unsureness or confusion, and more. 

Healing Time

A bruise can fully heal within a couple of weeks. It looks its  most intense a few days after an injury. From there, hemoglobin will kick in. During the recovery, it will turn a yellow-green color. This is a positive sign of healing and growth. 

Using Physical Therapy

When it comes to your health and wellbeing, don’t let pain and discomfort persist. Get help from a physical therapist to resolve issues. Local physical therapy is one of the best ways to treat injuries. When working with a top therapist, they will assess your pain situation and put you on a plan for a pain-free life. 

As you look for a premier physical therapist you can trust, North Platte Physical Therapy has you covered. Our experienced staff will walk you through your specific injury to ensure you heal properly and on time. Whether you bump or bruise your skin, your doctor and physical therapist will assess the quality of your damage. From there, your go-to physical therapist will create a recovery plan. This is ideal to help take a quick approach to injuries that lead to scarring and more. Get started and contact us today to see how we can help you!  We will be happy to help you walk through bruising and how to minimize symptoms.

The start of a new year is the perfect time to initiate goals to become healthier. Even if you are not looking to lose weight, adjusting your eating habits, exercising and using premier Casper physical therapy will make a difference. In your search to become a better you in 2019, use some of these tips to feel better in the new year. 

Common Aches and Pains with Adults

An average of 25 to 30 percent of adults copes with chronic pain, which occurs for a variety of reasons. Some pain stems from health conditions while others are due to injuries. Common aches and pains reported in adults include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Back pain from strains, bulging discs, etc. 
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches and migraines
• Joint pain due to arthritis, inflammation or bursitis
• Knee pain
• Nerve damage
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tennis elbow

Using Physical Therapy to Replace Medication

More than 80 percent of Americans use over-the-counter pain medications to treat aches and pains. For others, they are given prescriptions for opioids that can be highly addictive. In fact, more than three million people use them each year. Is there another way to treat pain? There is! Local physical therapy can help you resolve some of your aches and pains, rather than masking them. Top physical therapists will identify the source of your pain and create a customized plan. These can include: 

• Aerobic exercises 
• Dry needling
• Flexibility exercises
• Strength training
• Stretching

Your initial visit will assess your issues. Your physical therapist will find the best exercises and treatments for you to find long-term solutions to pain. For many, quality physical therapy can help adults prevent costly surgeries that take time to recover. 

Learning Proper Form for Daily Tasks

Poor posture takes a toll on your body. When you are in ideal alignment, there is less stress on your muscles. When all is in line, you will have a better range of motion and less pain. But your form of activities is also essential. This can be anything from lifting boxes or sitting at a desk to moving items and exercise. A physical therapist will discuss with you what your day to day is like. From there, they will teach you how to handle your everyday tasks properly. 

Improving Mobility

Physical therapy is great for those looking to increase mobility. You can work with a physical therapist to create go-to exercises that you can do on your own time. This makes becoming more mobile a task easy to achieve on your terms. In the 10 surprising ways physical therapy can make your life better, you will find how beneficial it is to solve issues. 

As you work towards becoming a healthier you in 2019, North Platte Physical Therapy is here for you. Whether you are looking to resolve aches and pains, become more mobile or feel better, our team of talented physical therapists will work closely with you. You will find you will feel better, sleep through the night, and have more energy! What are you waiting for? Contact us today to schedule your initial appointment!